As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Kurtakoti Saaru – Rasam Recipe – North Karnataka Rasam Recipe
Saaru also known as Rasam in other parts of South India can be prepared in many different ways. While on holidays at my maternal grandfather house, the Saaru used to be so different as the … [Read More...]
Akki Ubba Rotti – Rice Flat Bread Recipe – Akki Rotti – Chawal Roti
Puffed bread prepared using Rice Flour, which is very popular in Coorg district. "Ubba" in Kannada means puffed up. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice Flour Add 2 … [Read More...]
Carrot Palya – Carrot Onion Stir Fry Recipe – Carrot Toran Recipe – Carrot Poriyal Recipe
Carrot Palya is a side dish from Karnataka. Very easy to make and the dish is rich in nutrition. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Carrots 1 Onion (on a festival day, you … [Read More...]
String Beans Salad
Winter is the best time to buy tender string beans to prepare this salad. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 12 tender String Beans ½ Yellow Capsicum, Sliced 1 Red Onion, Sliced 6 … [Read More...]
Methi Mutter Malai – Fenugreek leaves and Peas Recipe – Methi Matar Malai
Methi Mutter Malai is a side dish prepared using Fenugreek leaves, Green fresh Peas and Cream with a dash of spices. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 big … [Read More...]
Agashi – Flaxseed Chutney Powder
People are now waking up to the health benefits of Flaxseed. In North Karnataka where this is grown extensively, this seed has been used in their cuisine since a long time. A chutney powder prepared … [Read More...]
Sweet Corn Cheese Topping
Topping with sweet corn and cheese goes very well with hash browns, Nachos, bread toast, and on Papdi! Cuisine: Continental Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1bsp Oil 1tsp Cumin … [Read More...]
Whole Garam Masala
Whole Garam Masala is a combination of whole spices used to flavor many dishes like Vegetable Pulao, Biryani, Side Dishes, Mughlai dishes, and so on. Ingredients: Jeera / Cumin Seeds Fennel … [Read More...]
Travel
I live to tell this story…
I was parched and knew I would die a slow and painful death. The stench was unbearable and the plastic was clogging my respiratory organs. Slowly my body was getting filled by … [Read More...]
Nrityagram Dance Village, Hessarghatta and Taj Kuteeram
We planned for a weekend getaway to Nrityagram, which turned to be a unique experience. The dance village is situated on a 10 acre land near Hessarghatta, 30 Km from Bangalore. This was founded in … [Read More...]
Chennakesava Temple – Belur
Usually a visit to a temple is to offer prayers and exit. But, there are many ancient temples in India from where you resist exiting and continue to go round in circles admiring the ornate carvings. … [Read More...]
Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon, Srirangapatna
The word Dungeon is morbid and imagination conjures up of prisoners suffering in the dark dungeons. To see it for real, travel to Srirangapatna and visit the Dungeon built during the rule of Tipu … [Read More...]
Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
If you want to experience poetry in stone, then you must visit Bhoga Nadeeshwara Temple. A culmination of work on the temple from 5 dynasties is very attractive to tourists and devotees. Bhoga … [Read More...]
Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada is situated to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This beautiful white marble structure was built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Photographs … [Read More...]
Ralliah Dam, Coonoor
It was a pleasant surprise to know that there is a Dam in Coonoor and what made the visit more exciting was the fact that we had to trek in the striking mountain ridges along the Wellington-Coonoor … [Read More...]
Festivals
Aanai Pandige – Aane Habba – Karthika Deepotsava
Aanai Pandige Karthikai also known as Karthika Deepotsava, Aane / Elephant Habba is an important festival of Iyengars (Vishishtha Advaitha sect) of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [Read More...]
Navaratri Golu – Dolls Arrangement during Dasara
This is in continuation of the post “Traditional Dolls Arrangement”. The custom of arranging dolls during Navaratri / Dasara is also followed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In these states … [Read More...]
Krishna Janmashtami – Gokulashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
"Yathra Yogeeshwara Krishno | Yathra Partho Dhanurdharaha | Thathra Shree Vijayo Bhuthir | Dhruvaneethirmimathirmama ||" The meaning of the above extract from the Gita is “wherever Krishna … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Gowri Aarathi Song
Gowri is the consort of Lord Shiva and during Ganesha-Gowri Festival, songs are sung in glory of her during Arathi. Lyrics in Kannada: ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳವೆನ್ನಿರೆ ಗೌರಿಗೆ| ಜಯ ಭವ ಹರ … [Read More...]
